Justice Department investigating torture memo

[Ichingcarpenter]

Source: Guardian AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department is investigating whether agency lawyers improperly advised the military it could use harsh interrogation methods and concluded that President Bush's wartime authority could not be limited by domestic law or international bans on torture.

The findings outlined in a March 2003 memo have been included in an ongoing internal review about the CIA's use of waterboarding, which simulates drowning, and whether top Justice officials crossed a line in authorizing it.

The department's Office of Professional Responsibility, which is handling the investigation, generally does not publicly discuss what matters are under review. The office called Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., on Thursday to confirm the expanded inquiry into the 2003 memo, according to his spokeswoman, Alex Swartsel.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7470381

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The Justice Department investigating the Justice Department......

Yeah, Right!!!!!

[maddezmom]

1. Senator Whitehouse Talks About Justice and the Rule of Law

By: looseheadprop Wednesday April 16, 2008 5:00 am


As some of you know from the comment threads, this past Saturday I attended the Association of the Bar of the City of New York's Council on Criminal Justice retreat entitled "A Summit on the Prosecution Function." Senator Sheldon Whitehouse was both a panelist and the luncheon speaker and he graciously respond to my request for a copy of his speech, so that I might share some of the highlights with you.

The event as a whole was characterized by a bluntness and refreshing willingness to call bullshit and rip the fig leaves off of some of the more egregious behavior to come out of our system of justice in the last few years. Senator Whitehouse's speech fit right into that, it was blunt -- in the good way, it wasted no time shilly shallying politely making excuses in the name of not further damaging the Department of Justice. Nope, it cut straight to the chase, right on the first page:

While I won’t delve into the long litany of frightful stories regarding the tenure of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, I would like to touch on one simple point: the Attorney General simply did not seem to respect the institution that he was tasked to serve. I remember when I first took office as Attorney General of little Rhode Island, how strongly I felt the responsibility and honor of that office. I don’t think he ever felt that way. I think he felt he had seized more territory for George Bush.

He then went on to give a little report card that mentioned some reforms that AG Mukasey has instituted and to note some improvements of tone that the Senator has noticed since Muksaey took office. However, the Senator noted, despite these improvements, "much remains undone."



At which point, the good Senator launched into the topic of the Yoo memos. He had several great pickups. For example: that definiton of torture Yoo used, you know "equivalent in intensity to the pain accompanying serious physical injury, such as organ failure ....", that one? Do you know where it comes from? 42 USC Section 1395w-22, a Medicare reimbursement statute! I kid you not.

more:http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/16/senator-whitehouse-talks-about-justice-and-the-rule-of-law/

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. I love Whitehouse.....I hope he rides them to hell

But I fear we won't see enough real things done until we have
a special prosecutor.

[lovuian]

3. Eventually the House of Cards are all going to tumble down

Gonzales was a disgrace to the Justice statue at least aschcroft was embarassed and had it covered
Gonzales didn't believe Justice exists
He dictated the Law and it was the law

He is gone now
mukasey get a look you will be gone too soon

[nichomachus]

4. This would be meaningful if . .

the Justice Department hadn't been totally corrupted with partisan hacks. Federalist Society members top to bottom. Nothing meaningful will come of this.

The DOJ is a cesspool now.

[bluesmail]

5. Whitehouse may be our white knight. Who knows anymore?

[OKthatsIT]

6. That Justice Dept is probably 'getting off' reviewing the evidence

...these people are too sleezy for words.

[tom_paine]

7. Nazis investigate selves. Find selves innocent of any wrongdoing.

:puke:

[Ichingcarpenter]

8. The Gestapo investigate the SS and report back

to "The Decider"

[tanyev]

9. Hopefully this subject can be revisited by the next administration.

It's a pretty safe bet that the current denizens of the Justice Dept. will find no evidence of wrongdoing.